You Better Not Miss This

The games you absolutely need to watch this week

By Marnitz Kotze

With so many great games each week, we single out three that you absolutely, positively cannot miss. My winners are in bold. 

Boston at Pittsburgh

NBC’s Wednesday Night rivalry game features Boston at Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is looking to get back into the win column following a poor effort against the Leafs in which Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby apparently didn’t get the memo: Toronto is actually good. The two star forwards had a terrible game and will want to get back on the score sheet against a tough opponent in the Boston Bruins. The Bruins will also be looking to get back in the win column following a crushing last minute defeat against the New Jersey Devils. They'll have to do it without star forward Loui Ericksson who is still sidelined by a concussion. Don't act like you haven't seen it.

It will be the first meeting between the two since the Bruins swept the Pens in last year's playoffs, so look for Pittsburgh to come out strong and treat it as a redemption game. Both teams have 14 points but the Bruins have a game in hand and will want to gain some ground on Toronto. 

Prediction: The Penguins are too good of a team to not turn it around and their stars should shine against a tough opponent.

Toronto at Vancouver 

In case you haven’t heard, Toronto is the real deal. Leading the Atlantic division with 16 points they will hope to keep the trend going with a win against Vancouver in this Hockey Night in Canada matchup. It will be the last game of a three game home stand for Vancouver following a great road trip in which they collected 11 of a possible 14 points. Both teams are playing some great hockey of late and this match up shouldn't disappoint. It is the feature in Hockey Night in Canada’s line-up and being the Leafs you know Vancouver is getting up for this game.

Prediction: Vancouver always plays well against Toronto, and have won their last ten meetings against each other. I think they will continue this trend and start November off on the right foot.

Chicago at Minnesota

Not the greatest match up of all time I know, but the NHL schedule is working against me here. This will the second game of a home and away series. The first game was won by Nicklas Backstrom despite the Wild putting up five goals. Backstrom was the real story during Saturday's 5-3 win, making several incredible saves to secure the victory. Four highlight-reel saves in a game your team won by two goals means you stole the win. This game should be amazing if its anything like the last one. The Hawks need their star players to show up before the third period if they wish to even the score.

Prediction: The Blackhawks' coaching staff are seasoned enough to solve Backstrom, Chicago should take this one as they played well on Saturday but just didn't get the result.

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Marnitz Kotze is a co-founder of TNZT and is the host/producer of The Neutral Zone Trap podcast. Follow him on Twitter at @marnitzkotze